You’ve been dating Steve for a year now, you were deeply in love with him, and he with you, but it wasn’t always like that, at first when you met each other Steve didn’t pay much attention to you, he treated you only as a coworker and didn’t speak to you outside of missions or mission related stuff, on those first months, even though he didn’t pay much attention to you, you had develop a crush on him, how could you not, he was a gentleman, and when you saw him with his friends he was funny and sweet, all that change a couple months later, one day he asked you out on a date, it came out as a surprise to you, but you accepted, how could you denied one date with your crush, during the whole date Steve was a gentleman, and that same day before the date finished he asked you to be his girlfriend, he said that he had feeling for you, but he was nervous about it, that’s why he was distant, you accepted his explanation and didn’t think more of it, of course you accepted, and since that day you’ve been together.
Those first months of relationship Steve was a little distant and sometimes cold, not acting entirely like your boyfriend in private, but you thought that maybe it was because he has never been in a relationship, and with being from the 40’s and everything being different, it was obvious he wouldn’t know how to be a boyfriend, with time it changed, the fourth month of dating he became more warm towards you, you loved that, he was breaking through his nervousness of being your boyfriend.
And now one year into the relationship you’ve been the happiest, all the team love you two together, they say you were a perfect couple, also the public adore you, they said you were perfect for Steve, you complimented each other so well, so much they love you, that there was merchandise being sold of you and Steve as a couple, it sold more than that of you alone or him alone, everything was perfect, it was beautiful, you felt like in a fairytale, but life is never fair, it doesn’t care if you’re happy or not, two days before your anniversary, you were walking through the compound to go and see Steve, you were arriving to his bedroom, when you heard him talking to someone, you heard worry laced in his voice, you stopped and decided to leave, maybe he was with Bucky and you didn’t want to interrupt, but stopped on your tracks when you heard Sharon voice.
It’s not that you didn’t trust Steve, but Sharon has always been a sore spot in the relationship, you knew in the past he had feeling for her, but never dated her, before dating you could see how Steve saw her, like she was the brightest star in the galaxy, that didn’t change until a month or two into your relationship, you brought it up to Steve once or twice but he always said that it was only admiration towards her work that you saw in his eyes, that there was nothing more, he had only eyes for you, and you believed him.
You shake your thoughts away, debating in your mind if you should go or interrupt them, but before you could decide, she started to speak –come on Steve, when are you going to break up with her?, you finally have the permission to finish this charade, we can finally be together, you don’t have to keep up this stunt?-
-I know I have the permission, but I’m not going to break up with her, I already told you, look Sharon, yeah I used to have feeling for you, but that changed, I’m with y/n, and I love her, maybe our relationship didn’t start as I would have like it, but it’s real now- he tried to explain to her and make her see that he was honest
-It didn’t start as you would have like it? Steve…you used her as a PR stunt behind her back, for what, some toys to be sold, something to be promoted, what you say you feel for her, it’s not real, it’s just resignation, it’s an habit, but that can change now, we can finally be together- she scoffed
Steve was feeling ashamed of how he started thing with you, but that didn’t mean that now he didn’t love you, he did, he fell for you, how could he not, you were sweet, funny, smart and so, so gorgeous, he had to finish this conversation with Sharon, you would be coming to see him sooner or later, and he didn’t want to see Sharon in his bedroom, she has caused trouble in the past in your relationship, and with the anniversary so close he didn’t want to have trouble with you, he had big plans for that day, Sharon wouldn’t ruin them.
-I know, I should have told her the truth long ago, but it’s not resignation, I truly fell for her, and I don’t want to lose her, look Sharon you better go, she’s going to come and I want to clean- he tried to push her out the door
Meanwhile without them knowing you were listening to their whole conversation, stuck there in place without being able to move, Steve didn’t love you, he asked you out because it was a good for his PR, you felt your heart breaking, but before running away, you decided to step into his room, they both turned to see you, shock showed in their faces, and you could see Steve slowly losing his color, you were not only sad, you were mad, rightfully pissed off.
-y/n, sweetheart, how…how are you?- Steve tried to mask his nervousness, maybe you didn’t hear his conversation, maybe you just arrived and were angry at Sharon being there, but not because you heard what they were saying, he was hoping that was the case.
-Maybe….I should go- said Sharon trying to leave and avoid the awkward situation
-DON’T… DON’T SWEETHEART ME STEVE, and please don’t leave Sharon, you should stay, seeing that you have more insight into my relationship that I do- you were angry, your face was hot from how mad you were
-It’s not what you think, it’s not as it looks like, believe me- Steve tried to diffuse the situation
-not what I think? So I didn’t just heard you both say, that you used me and that all of this..us, is fake? Then please, explain, what is it?- you gave Steve a hard look, waiting for an explanation
-no, no, we’re not fake, I….we’re real, I love you, you know that- Steve was trying to fix this but not being able to come with more words
-I don’t, I really don’t know, do you?....hm..do you love me?... really? Because, I just heard you say you have permission to break up with me, what? It was only a year contract? Or was it less time? TELL ME… what….the pussy was so good you extended the contract?, I should feel flattered, or were the sells up to the top?, your numbers grew? Your popularity grew? Please explain, because to be honest what I’m thinking right now can’t be worse that the truth……god how stupid can I be, you know, thinking back now, I see the red flags, those first months you were so cold towards me, except when we were out in public, and when I brought up Sharon, you said it was only admiration, not love, but now seeing back, it was there, all the markers and I was just so enamored by you, that I decided to ignore them and turn my head to the other side- you weren’t crying, you were surprised by that, maybe it was the adrenaline, or the angriness, sooner or later you would start crying, but not in front of them, no.. you wouldn’t give them another reason to laugh at you, to talk behind your back, to feel sorry for you.
-I’m sorry…really y/n- Sharon said, giving you that look of pity, pity for the stupid naïve girl who fell for Captain America thinking he would feel the same, with that she left, leaving only you and Steve in the room
You turned to see Steve, waiting for his explanation
-I want the truth Steve, the whole truth, don’t try to mask it, or soften the fall, I think it’s the least I deserve from you, the truth- you said rising your eyebrow at him.
-I…..I wanted to date Sharon, and I was going to ask her out, but our PR team said that it wouldn’t be good for me….for us…..the avengers, people didn’t seem okay with me dating the niece of my past girlfriend, I wasn’t going to follow what they said, but I did it for the team, and then they proposed to date someone else, and that’s when you came, you were bright, smart, funny, and the public already loved you, so, that made you perfect in the PR teams eyes, and people were already shipping us, they knew you liked me, so I...accepted, I asked you out, and I asked you to be my girlfriend, I didn’t thought you would accept, I thought we would part ways, and that date would calm the team, but you said yes, and I was now with you, but you have to know that I did fell for you, after months of being together I saw you, truly saw you, and I started to fell in love, I wanted to tell you the truth, but I knew I would lose you if I said anything, so I kept quiet, I was in love, and you were in love, why ruin that?- Steve was shedding a couple tears now, but that didn’t make you feel bad for him, he caused this himself.
-how…how long was the contract?-you asked, not knowing why you wanted to know that
-a year- you nodded your head
-when you…when we had sex, that first time…was it real? Was it real for you?-you asked him silently, not feeling totally confident
He left a breath, and you saw his head fall, him not able to look into your eyes, and that told you everything you needed to know
-ok then, you’re free from your contract, I’m done, I don’t want you to ever talk to me again, please, I think you owe it to me- and with that you left his room, before you started to cry in front of him
He tried to reach to you, but deep down he knew he had lost you, you would never forgive him for this, you had given him your heart and he had broken it, the least thing he could do for you, was leave you alone, and let you mend what he broke.
After that day you avoided each other, you moved out of the compound, and you were never sent into another mission together, not even when other team members where there, you saw the rest of the team all the time they didn’t knew about Steve stunt, not even Bucky, who was also mad at him, he forgive him eventually but he was still disappointed in his friend.
Everyone on the team supported your decision of not talking to Steve, except for Wanda, she was the one who tried to make you forgive him, he was like a brother to her, and she wanted him to be happy, and he was happy with you, she adored you both together, but it didn’t matter how much she insisted you let it be clear that you and Steve wouldn’t be together again.
A year went that way, mending you heart, moving on from him, moving on with your life, with time you were able to be in the same room as Steve, still not talking to each other, but it was a big progress, you weren’t send on mission with him alone, but if other people were around you would go.
In the relationships department, you went on a couple dates with some people, but it didn’t feel right, you couldn’t trust them, what if they played you just like Steve did, but all that changed when you met Walter, he was a detective from Minnesota, he recently moved from there, his ex-wife and daughter moved here a year ago, and he decided to follow his daughter to keep contact with her, he got a job as a detective here in NY.
You both met one day you were out shopping, you actually met thanks to Faye, his daughter, you were looking for a dress for Tony’s party and they were there buying dresses for Faye’s prom, she was asking him for opinions, but he only said they all looked pretty on her, Faye needed the female gaze, so she turned to you and asked for your opinion, you decided to help her, and after two hours of shopping you and Faye chose the right ones, with Walter only holding your bags, while being in the store Faye noticed his dad hadn’t take his eyes out of you, so she encouraged him to ask you out, they invited you to eat as a thanks for the help, and you accepted, you adored Faye, and Walter made you feel in a way you hadn’t felt in a long time, after eating before you had to leave, Walter asked you out on a date, which you accepted.
After that day you kept talking and seeing each other, with time you made your relationship official, you both kept your relationship on the low, with him being a detective and you being an agent, you both had enemies, and didn’t want to put the other at risk, your friends knew you were seeing someone, Nat and Sam pointed out several times how you were glowing, and seemed happier, but never pressured you to introduce the lucky man or woman, they understood, especially with what happened with Steve, they knew you would have your reservations, and want to keep it private.
At first it was a little bit hard for you to fully open to Walter, but he was understanding, he was also very careful, but with time you both opened to each other, and from then on the relationship only grew stronger, just like your feelings for each other, you knew you were in love with him, and after analyzing everything you realized he was the one, he was it, he was the man you wanted to grow old with, and one day while talking he told you the same, he was in love with you and wanted to spend the rest of his life with you.
But life seems to hold a grudge with you, because only a little time after that, someone started to threaten you, letters were sent to the compound address to you, letters telling you that if you kept seeing Walter they would hurt you and him sometimes photos were included, they had their eyes cut out, or marked with a red cross across each one of them, you had a lead, Nat and Tony went with you, they being the only two to know of it, when you went to look at it, it was an apartment in one of the worst parts of the city, but no one was there, in one of the rooms they had photos of you and Walter, of Walter and Faye and of you three, this was precisely what you’ve been fearing, that’s why you and Walter keep everything on the low, and now you were the one putting them at risk, the two people you loved more than anything.
After getting all the information you left, when you arrived, you immediately went to see Walter, he needed to know, you wouldn’t put Faye at risk. He let you in, you showed him the photos and the threats.
-we found photos of you and me, and you and Faye, they’ve been keeping tabs, I’m sorry, I don’t want to put you and Faye at risk, we don’t know who it might be, and it might take time to find out, I think we need to break up, I don’t want anything to happen to any of you, you’re too important to me- you were crying now, having to let go the love of your life to protect them was painful, they were two complete different situations, but somehow this time you were more heartbroken than when you and Steve broke up, especially because you didn’t knew how long it could take to stop whoever was doing this to you
-I understand, it hurts but I understand, thank you, for taking care of Faye and I, just know, that I will wait for you, I love you, and I was honest when I told you I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you- he cried a little, he hugged you and then let you go, you left his house, once you arrived at your apartment you let yourself cry.
In the blink of an eye two months went by, and no progress was made, they kept sending letters and photos, something had to be done, they knew Walter was important to you, and you needed to take the attention away from him, make them commit a mistake one little mistake that would allow you to find them.
One day during a meeting, Tony and Nat convinced you to include the rest of the team, with their help it could be solved quickly, you decided to brought it up to the team, you explained the situation, showed them the letters and photos, maybe Nat was right, with the rest of the team it could be solved.
-So, let me get this right, they started to threaten you because you were with this Walter guy, but they still threaten you, to keep away from each other or they hurt him, are you sure, it’s an enemy of the avengers, maybe it’s someone from his work, not yours?- Sam asked you
-but if it’s from his works, why would the threats be sent to me? They would’ve be sent to him? No, this is something for me, maybe from a past mission- you didn’t know who it was, but you knew this was direct for you, not Walter
-ok, I have an idea, it’s crazy but it can help- Wanda said, she looked doubtful of the idea but it was more than you had before
-they want you away from him, and they haven’t left you alone because you still care about this guy, what if you pretend to date someone else, fake date someone from us, the avengers, maybe not having something to threaten you with they will commit a mistake- she looked at all of you looking out for opinions on her plan
-what?...that’s..- but before you could finish Tony interrupted
-that’s actually a good idea, it could work, and if it doesn’t you don’t lose anything, but who would you date?-Tony was convinced this could work, which made you think that maybe indeed it could work, but you weren’t so sure still
-I will do it- everyone turn to see Steve, who haven’t mutter anything since the meeting started
-What?...No…No- you shoked your head
-Think about it, you and I dated before, maybe this people will be convinced that you and I rekindle what we had, it will be easier to believe that than if you started completely new with someone else, you and I have history-he looked at you straight in the eyes, with something that you could only pinpoint as hope, for what you didn’t knew
To Steve this presented the perfect opportunity to show you that he still loved you, maybe after this you wouldn’t return to that Walter, he could show you that he still cared about you, that he was good. Maybe after all of this you would be with him, for real, again.
You rejected the idea immediately, one PR relationship with Steve was enough for you, two would be stupid, but the rest of the team thought it could work, Steve had a good point.
After debating for over an hour it was decided that you and Steve would pretend to be in a relationship, the bad thing would be that you could not tell Walter it was PR, he had to believe it was real, in case someone was monitoring him or you, you would have to go on dates, pretend to be in love and all of that.
After leaving the meeting you went with a dark cloud above you, but Steve left that room with a new hope in his heart, the only people happy with the outcome were him and Wanda, happy to finally see her brother smile.
Three more months went by, and the threats stopped, you were still looking out for clues, but you ran into a wall, during all this time you weren’t able to communicate with Walter, who send you a text asking for an explanation when you and Steve confirmed your supposed relationship, you had to lie to him, and tell him that you and Steve became close again, and would try again, it broke your heart to say it, but it was in order to protect him and Faye.
During all that time Steve and you went out on “dates” and acted as if you were in love, at least you were acting, Steve was over the moon to have you, he was so into his happiness that he failed to notice you were suffering, until one day reality came crashing to him like an avalanche.
You were on the living room in the compound, nobody except for you, Steve and Bucky were there, the rest of the team had missions, you thought you were alone, Bucky was in his room and Steve was in the gym, so you decided to take out your laptop, you started to scroll through your photos and videos, until you came to those of you, Walter and Faye, while scrolling you came across a video Faye filmed on Coney Island, on the back of the video you and Walter were talking, Faye was narrating how much fun you had, she later went closer to the both of you, you looked happy, relax, Walter was smiling with his arms around you, you always felt safe in his arms, you started to cry because in these past months the only thing you have felt it was cold and emptiness.
You kept scrolling through photos of Walter and you, videos telling each other I love you, smiling and being happy, you kept crying while remembering all those days, missing him more each day that passed.
What you fail to notice was that Steve have come out of the gym, he saw you and smiled, he was going to talk to you, asked you out on a date, when he saw you, scrolling through photos, having a faraway look on your eyes, like you were remembering a beautiful memory.
That’s the moment reality catch up with him, he was so happy to have you back that he failed to notice you were not in love with him anymore, your heart belong to somebody else now.
He felt his heart break, so he decided to leave you alone, and he went to look out for Bucky, he knocked on his door and Bucky open to him, but as soon as he saw his red eyes, he let him in immediately.
-Hey pal, what happen?-Bucky asked worried, it was rare for Steve to cry so it must have been something serious
-I hurt her- Steve said cleaning his tears
-who? Who’s hurt?-Bucky started to think what could have happen, Steve didn’t went on a mission, so it couldn’t’ be that
-y/n… I….I hurt her, I broke her heart when she found out about the PR, and now I’m hurting her by keeping her with me, she doesn’t love me, not anymore, but I’m selfish and I….I should’ve been helping her finding out about the threats, but I stopped looking out for clues because I didn’t want her to leave, but the truth is that she doesn’t love me anymore, and I just keep hurting her, over and over-Steve was talking in a hurry, afraid that if he stop he wouldn’t be able to talk again
-then let her free, help her find out who did it, and let her free-Buck didn’t have more help than that, hearing Steve.
Steve took that day to think of things, tomorrow he would let you be free, and do everything on his hands to find out who threaten you and Walter.
The next day you were on your office, trying to find out more clues, but with no more letters and no contact from the person threatening you didn’t have more, the case was going cold, and the more time it passed, the more you started to feel, you wouldn’t be able to be with Walter ever again.
You were starting to feel anxious, when someone knocked on your door, welcoming the distraction you told the person to come in
-Hey- Steve said peeking from the door
-Hey, what’s going on?- you asked him, not really wanting to see him, not because of anything more that the fact that seeing hi made you think of not seeing Walter
-Can we talk?-
-sure, seat , do you want a coffee?- you stood up to serve one for yourself
-no, thanks- he cleared his throat
You signaled to him to continue
-I think we should end this, the stunt, you haven’t received threats, and I think it’s safe to break up now, and maybe you should go and talk to Walter, if you need help, maybe Tony could tell him that…we…us...was for a stunt, that it wasn’t real, I don’t think this person will contact you again, and if they do, we will catch them this time- saying that broke Steve, but he had to do it, for you, at the end, he owe it to you, let you be happy, even if it wasn’t with him
You nodded, looking him in the eyes for the first time in god know how long
-thank you Steve-you smiled at him
-we should tell the team when they come back- he smiled back at you, hiding his pain
-ok, thank you, for trying to help, I know we didn’t have much progress in this, but thank you, you didn’t have to protect him, but still did it- you honestly appreciated his help, deep down you knew this might hurt him, and for that you appreciated it more
___TIME SKIP___
The team returned from its mission, you were having dinner, you still haven’t talk to Walter, you were waiting to tell the team first, or maybe it was that you were scared, scared to go see Walter and for him to have moved on, or for him to reject you because you were too much, your job was too much.
You were all sitting around talking, when Bucky nodded at Steve encourage him to speak, so he stood up, nodding at you
-ok team, we have news, seeing that in the case there hadn’t been any more clues, and the person hasn’t contacted y/n, we decided to finally close this, and basically break up, finish this- he smiled at you and nodded for you to continue
-I want to thank you all guy for the help, and to tell you that I’m going to talk to Walter and let him on everything, hoping he takes me back, and to thank you guys for protecting him and Faye…- but before you continued you were interrupted by a scratch of a chair
-NO…..NO…THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING, WHY ARE YOU GOING BACK TO THAT MAN, YOU AND STEVE WERE HAPPY, YOU WERE TOGETHER AGAIN- Wanda was screaming, not accepting the truth
-Wands, it’s finished- you tried to tell her
-NO, I DIDN’T WORK MY ASS OFF SPYING ON THAT MAN FOR YOU TO GO BACK TO HIM SO EASILY AND LEAVE STEVE- suddenly she stopped talking, realizing what she just confessed
-WANDA- Steve screamed at her, surprised at her confession
-What did you just say?- Bucky asked coldly
-it was you?, you made me break up with the man I love, why? Why would you do it?- you asked her, not fully processing what you just heard
-Why? Because Steve and you were happy, yes, he committed a little mistake, I tried to make you see past it, but you were just so stubborn, he was happy and then you left him, but not only that, you decided to date this other man, and break Steve’s heart, how could you? He was sad, and you didn’t care, but I did, so I decided to make you see Steve’s the one for you- Wanda was agitated, she then turned to see Steve
-I did it for you Steve, because I love you, your my brother, and I was losing you, I couldn’t lose you-
Steve shook his head, letting out a disappointed noise at Wanda
-it wasn’t you call to make, that was y/n and I problem, yeah I was hurt, but I caused that on myself, I hurt her, I didn’t ask you to threaten her, do you think I wanted to be with someone who didn’t love me anymore?, that only made me hurt her more, hurt myself more- Steve was disappointed in her
-I think you need to take a step back Wanda- Tony told her
Now everyone was stood up, on guard in case she did something against you, or Steve
Bucky went and grabbed Wanda
-I think it’s time for you to go- with that Bucky and Sam took her out, leading her to the cells, where they could interrogate her and if possible searching help for her
-I think... now the case is finally close- Tony said, smiling at you
-Yeah, I think it is- you nodded, sounding a little bit tired, that was more draining than you though
Steve came close to you
-Sorry, I didn’t saw that, she hide it well from us- he was remorseful
-None of us saw it, it’s not only on you Steve- you assured him
-I’m sorry, I was just so happy to have you back, that I ignored you were hurt, I was hoping that with time you could forgive me and maybe give us an opportunity, but now I see that’s not possible, but I want to be your friend, if you let me- he was honest, you could see it in his eyes
-Sure, I would like that- you smiled at him, and shook his hand
-Can I give you an advice?, as a friend…you should go and see him, he deserves to know that there’s no threat anymore, you both deserve another chance, don’t you?- he smiled at you
You nodded at him, nervous of what was to come
You left the compound, during the whole ride your mind was running, what if he didn’t want you anymore?, what if he moved on?, what if he was angry at you?
All those thoughts died when you arrived at his house, stood there on the entrance, about to knock, made your stomach twist, pushing those thought down, you knocked.
There, on the other side of the door, he stood, looking as handsome as the day you broke up, you smiled at him
-Can I come in?- you asked him nervously
In Walter style he just nodded and moved to let you in, not speaking
-I just want you to know that we find out who it was, we catch her, and to let you know that Steve and I …wasn’t true, he helped me to keep the threat way from you and Faye, and that if you’ll have me, I would love to come back…to you…to us, that, if you haven’t moved on with somebody else…which I totally understand if it happen- hope in your voice that he still love you
He didn’t speak, making you more nervous than before, he just close the distance between you two, he put his hand on your cheek, looking you straight into the eyes
-I told you I would wait for you, I love you- he smiled and finally after long he kissed you
You were finally together, you finally were at home, were you belong, in his arms.